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The Toy Book’s 2023 Unboxed: The Top 10 News Items of 2023

The Toy Book looks back at the Top 10 most-read news items from an interesting year in the toy industry.

by James Zahn
2 m

You could say that this year was “more than meets the eye.”

As we close the books on 2023 and look forward to a better 2024, our team has analyzed the data to see which stories resonated most with readers of The Toy Book this year.

When it comes to news, you never know which stories will attract the most eyeballs and clicks, or just how fast it will happen. A few of the top 10 most-read news items at The Toy Book this year were just published within the past six weeks. And the top story? A forward-looking piece hinting at a 40th anniversary next year, the same year that The Toy Book will celebrate four decades on the #pulseofplay!

The Top 10 Toy Industry News Stories of 2023
  1. Hasbro Kicks Off Transformers 40th Anniversary Product Line
  2. Relatable Introduces First Squishmallows Heating Pad
  3. Build-A-Bear Launches New Sanrio Characters
  4. Mattel Launches American Girl Doll Inspired by Original Barbie
  5. Hasbro Reveals Plans to Cut 1,100 Employees, Close Providence Office
  6. Toy Fair New Orleans Called Off as Toy Association Plots Reimagining … Again
  7. Squishmallows Are Coming to Happy Meals
  8. Funko’s Brian Mariotti Resigns from the Company; Steps into Advisory Role
  9. Toy Industry Rallies in Support of Israel
  10. Spin Master to Acquire Melissa & Doug in $950M Deal

Click here to see the full archives of previous “Toy Book Top 10” features.

Top Photo: Inspired by The Toy Book’s 2023 Innovation & STEAM Issue and ongoing conversation about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the toy industry, this image represents at least three stories on this Top 10 list, as viewed by the machines.

Want more toy industry news in your feed? Follow the Toy Book on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Threads, and Facebook.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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